Things to Purge From Your Life

We all have goals, dreams, desires. We want to work out more, save more money, take better care of ourselves, find more fulfillment in our work. And yet we end up watching Netflix, wearing our yoga pants as pajamas, and working our 9-5 without much agency. With the new year approaching, it’s natural to start feeling self reflective. So it’s time to start making plans to create new positive habits and purge our not-so-wonderful habits. Here are some things you can purge from your life now so that by New Years you are ready to go!

Sexist Comments
It wouldn’t be an Angry Feminist post without a reminder that sexist comments are a thing of the past, and people still making them don’t belong in your future. No more calling your colleagues “honey” or “sweetie”, no more cracks about women drivers, no more comments about how women should or should not dress, no more catcalling, no more shaming women who reject your advances. No more. Purge those from your life immediately.

Self-Doubt
We grew up in the era of curriculums and block classes and testing and majors. All meant to prepare us for the real world. And then we were thrown into the real world where there is no schedule, itinerary, curriculum, or plan to follow. You have to make your own path. And it is daunting. Overwhelming. But the real kicker is this: now the only one stopping you from achieving anything is you. So you have to stop doubting yourself. It’s time to turn your dreams into plans! Pick your goal, make a list, and make a plan that’s all your own.

Workouts You Hate
Being active is so important. And not just for your waist line. The mental health benefits from activity are numerous. Regular exercise can have profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, stress, memory, sleep, and your mood. But the problem is you won’t see any of those benefits if you are forcing yourself to do workouts you hate. I love running, but running is not for everyone. You have to find your activity that you look forward to. Be it yoga, dancing, biking, sports, walking, what say you. The best part is that you get to do whatever you love.

Guilt
It’s easy to feel guilty for setbacks in your goals, for not being able to be in two places at once, for not progressing or being where you “should” be in life right now. It’s time to nix that negativity from your life and focus on the positive. Think of all you have accomplished in the last year, and cut yourself some slack. Don’t undercut your small victories. Like those days you went into work when you really didn’t want to, or those times you got outside on a sunny day, or those small moments where you opened up to someone. Growth takes on different forms and paces. Spend more time celebrating your victories.

Clothes
It’s time. It’s time to clean out your closet of all of those old clothes that you have wonderful memories of, keep meaning to wear, will fit in again one day. Start small, throw out those items with holes or snags. And once you see how great it feels to start purging your closet, you will start throwing out more and more. You’ll have more space, you’ll feel organized and cleansed, and you get to shop for new things now. Get rid of the old to make space for the new.

Being Too Available
Self-care is important. Let the trend of your next year be self-care. Plaster reminders all over your home, your car, your desk at work. Schedule it into your week. Baths, massages, reading time, alone time. Schedule it. And make it an unmovable option. If you get an invite to a shower, a happy hour, a move night, and it conflicts with your self-care time, you say no. Pick a time in your evening to stop checking work emails. Set your phone on your nightstand and leave it there all evening. I’m giving you permission to focus on you more.

Toxic Relationships
It’s tough to cut people out of your life. It’s tough to set boundaries and enforce them. It’s tough to stand up for yourself. It’s tough to be the one to break the cycle. But breaking up with toxic friends, acquaintances, workplaces, family, and romantic partners will bring you a freedom you don’t realize you are missing right now. Stop reaching out to your one-sided friendships, stop indulging in toxic workplace gossip with your coworkers, stop putting up with poor treatment from loved ones, stop ignoring red flags. This is another part of self-care to focus on. Teach the people in your life how to treat you by not tolerating anything less.

Old Spices
Like all perishables, your spices have an expiration date. And just like your clothes, your pantry needs a refresher. Throw out the old and make way for the new. Cleanse your pantry closet just like your wardrobe and find inspiration for the future you. Use this as motivation to learn how to cook a new dish or spend more time taking care of yourself.

I am a big believer in self-reflection and self-improvement. I believe you can choose to be a better you at any time, not just at New Years or your birthday. So stop waiting and make productive healthy choices today. When you wait you are the one who suffers the most. So stop suffering and start loving yourself.